Iron Man 12, Justice League of America 2, Moon Knight 5, Ms. Marvel 7, Secret Six 4, She-Hulk 11
Iron Man 12
This issue, apparently, is supposed to provide a reasonable explanation for Tony's pro-registration point of view in Civil War. (His own abilities have been controlled by others, resulting in several deaths, and he feels a great deal of guilt at this, and is looking hard for a solution to this possibility in himself and others.) The thing is, registering heroes would do just about nothing to solve this problem--it's not a logical connection. So, a disappointing conclusion to this storyline (disappointing in part because it ended up being a Civil War connection. :))
Justice League of America 2
Not as compelling as the last one, honestly. I might find the Red Tornado storyline touching if I had ever seen the character before now. But I have faith that this book will improve. And it stays on the get list in any case because it's one of the twelve-year-old's choices. :)
Moon Knight 5
I'm not an old Moon Knight fan. I never read the old series. Still haven't. And now, really, I'm not inclined to. Why's that? Marlene. She's the main thing I like in this book--smart, tough as nails, has a heart, and takes no crap. Not what I would have envisioned from what little I knew of Moon Knight before this series. I don't want to read the old books because I'm afraid that the old Marlene might disappoint. (Note that I have no idea whether this would be so--I'm just guessing by the time period that it might be the case.)
Other than that, not so interesting. Once the story picks up that may change, but at this point I've had about as much of tragic brooding Marc Spector as I care for.
Ms. Marvel 7
An attempt is made here to show the positive side of hero registration, at least as Carol perceives it, when the teen heroine Arana is given the opportunity for training. (I do have a small issue with their insistence on informing the parents of powered kids--Arana has a loving, supportive, and apparently accepting father. Not all kids would.) Of course, we're also shown the darker side of registration, as Carol and Simon go after Julia Carpenter on her way out of the country. They don't catch her, but it's clearly a more vicious, potentially-dangerous-to-onlookers battle than the situation would appear to require. What we do see, however, is that Carol genuinely feels she's doing what's right here. Possibly she isn't worrying about the details because of a "just following orders" mentality (possibly I'm thinking that way because I just read Captain America 22), I don't know, but at this point at least she hasn't taken on the "evil" vibe that Stark and Richards seem to be wearing these days.
Secret Six 4
Still enjoying this one. So is the twelve-year-old, who has commented favorably on the artwork compared with that in Villains United, saying that the faces are more expressive. She has a point, although personally I enjoyed both (apart from some of the inflated musculature in VU...) and found Eaglesham's ability to draw large numbers of clearly differentiated characters amazing.
The theme this issue seems to be nasty, nasty revenge. First, Vandal Savage's punishment for Solomon Grundy--making a meal of him for Cheshire and Dr. Psycho. (Presumably the regenerating Grundy will recover eventually.) Also, it seems, a test for the latter two.
And second...the remarkably uncharacteristic pairing of Deadshot and Knockout at the end of the issue? I see two possibilities here, both involving mind control. First possibility (and the one I'm leaning toward), the Hatter, furious at Scandal for daring to touch his beloved hat, voicing his intention of revenge in his usual anything-but-clear phrasing. He could do it. Second, Vandal Savage wants Scandal to return to him, by using her friends against her, by making her despair. What would do this more than a betrayal by her lover? Dr. Psycho could do it, although since he seems to need some proximity (line of sight?) he seems a less likely candidate than the Hatter (although if I'm wrong on the nature of his powers, it could be him as well).
She-Hulk 11
The big reveal this issue (and I've been waiting for it!) is that the reason Starfox's supposedly-short-acting love power is still affecting Jen and John (and Mallory and Andy) is that Andy accidentally absorbed those powers and has been inadvertently exercising them. When he learns this, he shuts them off, not wanting to live a lie, and Mallory immediately reverts to her heartless legal shark persona. Poor guy. :( I genuinely felt sorry for him.
The rest of the book is worth reading as well, just this is the bit that stood out for me.
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